Captains manager getting feel for this year's team

Fans won't be alone in drawing a bead on this band of Lake County Captains during the season-opening homestand, which begins at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.

First-year Captains manager Scooter Tucker also will have a learning curve as the Captains and Lansing (Mich.) Lugnuts square off four times at Classic Park.

"I'm pretty familiar with some of these players, less familiar with others," Tucker said.

In the spring training camps of the Indians and many big-league teams, minor leaguers tend to be moved around in exhibition games.

For instance, many of the position players and pitchers who broke camp with the lower-Class A Captains saw more game action in spring training with the advanced-Class A Carolina Mudcats.

It's possible that Tucker, pitching coach Steve Karsay and hitting coach Tony Mansolino have had minimal in-game exposure to some of the players now under their charge.

"I don't think it will take us long to get a feel for these guys, at least I hope not," Tucker said, smiling. "Some of it will be dialogue, just talking to the players and finding out where they've been comfortable in the past."

By the time the Captains take the field for Thursday's opener, Tucker will have overseen two full workouts at Classic Park.

Tucker said he'll go with Washington as leadoff batter. The 5-foot-11, 173-pound speedster from Florida was the Indians' second-round selection in the June 2010 draft out Chipola Junior College.

Washington opened the 2012 season in Lake County but was shut down after six games with a hip injury that later required labrum repair surgery.

"The biggest thing for LeVon is to stay healthy and put together a solid season," Tucker said. "He came to camp very focused and ready to make a statement."

Tucker said it will take "a few days" for him to arrive at the semblance of a set batting order.

"These guys all have a lot of talent and are highly regarded in the system," he said.

Sure to be in the middle of the order is Paulino, the third-rated prospect in the Tribe farm system according to Baseball America magazine.

"Offensively, the sky is the limit for Dorssys," Tucker said. "Defensively, from what I've seen he's solid. The people here will see a young, exciting player."

Tucker said he and Karsay will keep it simple for pitchers.

"Whether they have a power arm or not, we want them to command the fastball and work off that," Tucker said. "We're going to stress that early on, especially with the temperatures the way they are. Let's make them put the ball in play."

Tucker joined the Indians' minor-league organization last year as the hitting coach for Carolina. This is his first managerial assignment.

"I think I need multiple choice," Tucker replied, laughing, when asked for an early summation of his managing style. "We're here to instill some discipline, but I'd say I'm a teacher at heart."

After Sunday's series finale, the Captains will embark on a seven-game road trip. They'll be back home on April 16 to face the Dayton Dragons.